Envelope



H. A. EL'LENBOGEN Sept. 12, 1967 ENVELOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 18, 1963 lNVE NTOR HEKBERT A. ELL ENBOGEN ATTORNEYS wow Io. n owiw p 1967 H. A. ELLENBOGEN ENVELOPE 2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June 18, 1963 INVENTOR BY HERBERT AZ E LEA/3065A! TTbRNEYs United States Patent 3,341,109 ENVELOPE Herbert A. Ellenbogen, 10 Butternut Drive, New City, NY. 10956 Original application June 18, 1963, Ser. No. 288,743, now Patent No. 3,263,576, dated Aug. 2, 1966. Divided and this application May 25, 1966, Ser. No. 568,079

Claims. (Cl. 229-80) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An envelope fabricated of plastic film and having a flap integrally extending from one side wall thereof. The flap is exteriorly coated with an adhesive and the opposite side wall of the envelope is also exteriorly coated with an adhesive. Releasable backing paper strips are attached to the adhesively coated portions of the en- Velope.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 288,743, filed June 18, 1963, now U.S. Patent No. 3,- 263,576.

The present invention relates to an envelope for holding packing lists or the like, and to a method for forming each envelopes.

It is now recognized that it is desirable to ship goods with a packing list attached to a container in which the goods are placed, the packing list providing an inventory of the goods being shipped. To facilitate handling of the goods when they are received, the packing list is placed on the outside of a container, so that it may be consulted before the container or containers is opened. Normally, the packing list is enclosed in an ordinary paper envelope of a relatively heavy grade, which is attached to the container.

It has been found, however, that these paper envelopes have a great many deficiencies, due to the usage to which they are put, and theconditions of that usage. For example, the containers are often stored in a dimly lit warehouse or ships hold, so that it is difficult to see the envelope; this is particularly true when dust accumulates on them. Where the shipping container was subjected to moisture or water conditions, there was danger of deterioration of the packing list. Attachment of the envelope to the outside of the container was difiicult and time consuming, requiring the use of a stapling machine, glue or adhesive tape. Any of these was apt to result in damage to the packing list, so that at least a part of it could not be read.

Also, it was not possible to see any of the writing on the packing list, which was often desirable, without removing the packing list from the envelope.

Where containers were to be transported by ships, paper envelopes coated with pitch were used, to provide waterproof security for the packing list. This overcame one of the noted disadvantages, but the others still remained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an envelope for packing lists or the like which is readily visible in normally lighted, poorly lighted, or even dark locations.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope which is waterproof so as to protect the contents thereof.

Yet another object of the present nvention is to provide an envelope which is readily and easily sealed.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope which is easily attached to a container, and does not require the use of auxiliary attaching devices or implements.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an envelope which will permit viewing of at least part of the contents thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an envelope meeting the desideratum set forth above and which may be readily fabricated from economical and available material.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for making envelopes which is not only economical but which may be practiced with inexpensive materials without requiring specially constructed and expensive equipment.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll of film used in the practicing of the present inventive method and in the making of the envelope.

FIG. 2 is a view of a part of the film sheet shown in FIG. 1 after printing.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the film sheet after the application of adhesive patterns.

FIG. 4 is a view showing backing paper applied to the film sheet.

FIG. 5 is an end View taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view to an enlarged scale after the structure shown in FIG. 4 has been slit.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the structure of the film strip after a portion thereof has been folded, and after heat sealing.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8- of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an individual envelope after it has been severed from the strip shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, with parts partially peeled away, of the envelope shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows an envelope in accordance with the present invention applied to a container.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a rolled-up sheet 20 of thermoplastic film, such as polyethylene, which sheet has a fluorescent dye incorporated therein, the dye being indicated by the cross hatching. The dye or pigment may be applied to the film after extrusion, or may be incorporated with the plastic prior to extrusion.

The film sheet 20 is passed through a suitable printing mechanism so that there are applied to the upper side thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, a first series 21 and a second series 22 of legends, the two series extending linearly along the film sheet 20. The legends in the series 22 are inverted relative to the legends in series 21. As will be noted, the lengends occupy zones which are spaced from each other and which are spaced inwardly from the edges of the film sheet 20. Further, the zones containing the two series 21 and 22 are spaced from the center of the sheet 20.

After the printing of the legends, the sheet 20 has three patterns of self-adhering adhesive applied to the printed face thereof, the three patterns of adhesive being designated 23, 24 and 25. The patterns are parallel, and extend linearly of the film sheet 20. Patterns 23 and 25 are relatively broad and lie along the edges of the sheet 20, whereas pattern 24 is relatively narrow and lies generally at the center of the sheet 20. In practice, the distance between the adjacent edges of patterns 23 and 24, that is, the nonadhesive zone with legend series 21, is approximately o the same as the width of pattern 23, and the sheet 20 is generally symmetrical with respect to its center line.

After having the three adhesive patterns applied to it, backing paper strips 26, 27 and 28 are applied over the adhesive patterns 23, 24 and 25, respectively, these backing paper strips being heavily coated with silicone, so that the backing paper may be readily parted from the polyethylene film when desired. The backing paper strips 26, 27 and 28 are shown in FIG. in their adhered and overlying relationship with respect to the film sheet 20.

The film sheet 20 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is printed with adhesive patterns and backing paper. It is then slit longitudinally at the approximate center thereof so as to provide the structure shown in FIG. 6, the basic film now being designated 20' and referred to as a film strip, since it is one-half its original width. There is also shown in FIG. 6 the backing paper 26 and approximately onehalf of the backing paper strip 27, designated 27'.

While the processing of the structure shown in FIG. 6 will be described hereinbelow, it will be understood that the other strip, corresponding to strip 20, is similarly processed.

In FIG. 7, the film strip 20' has been folded linearly so that the marginal zone to which the adhesive pattern 23 had been applied underlies the zone containing the legend series 21. Thus, as will be seen from FIG. 8, the zone containing the printing and the zone containing the adhesive are in face to face relationship with each other, the backing strip 26 being still joined to the zone containing the adhesive pattern 23. Since the zone containing adhesive pattern 23 and the backing paper 26 are substantially equal in width to the zone containing the legend series 21, the outer edge of backing paper 26 will underlie the inner edge of backing paper strip 27'.

The two layers of film strip 20 are sealed together, as by heat sealing devices, to provide transversely extending linear seals 29 and 30, which are in spaced relation to each of the legends of the series. This thereby forms a strip 20' containing integrally joined envelopes having ends which are open, the open ends of the envelope lying just beneath the inner edge of backing paper 27, and being spaced therefrom. Each envelope may be seen to have a pair of generally rectangular walls formed by a part of the Zone containing legend series 21 and a part of the zone containing adhesive pattern 23. The walls are joined at three sides, the fourth being open as above stated. The part of zone with pattern 24 underlying backing paper strip 27 forms a flap integral with the wall formed by part of the zone containing legend series 21.

The strip 20' is cut transversely at each of the heat seals or seams 29, 30, etc., to provide individual envelopes. As will be understood, the severing and sealing may take place either sequentially or simultaneously, thereby providing the envelope 35 shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 10, the envelope is shown with the backing paper 26 partially peeled away, and with the flap formed by the zone containing the adhesive portion and with the portion of the film strip 20 having the backing paper 27' secured to it forming a flap 31 which has been folded over the open end or mouth of the envelope 35, to thereby close the mouth to retain papers placed in the envelope. For purposes of clarity, the backing paper strip 27' is shown partially peeled away from the flap 31.

In use, the envelopes 35 are supplied as shown in FIG. 9, and a packing list is placed in the envelope through the open end or mouth thereof, and then the backing paper 26 is partially peeled, as shown in FIG. 10. The flap 31 is then folded over, so as to seal the open end of the envelope, the adhesive which formed a part of pattern 23 securing the flap 31 in the closed position. The

backing paper 27' is then peeled from the flap 31, and it will be seen that the entire side of the envelope facing the viewer in FIG. 10 is coated with the self-adhering adhesive. The backing paper 26 is then removed and the envelope is placed against a container 36, and is immediately secured thereto by the adhesive, as shown in FIG. 11.

As will be understood, the process may be practiced, also, by utilizing a single-width thermoplastic sheet, rather than a double width one, as described hereinabove. In that event the single width sheet will be processed to obtain a single film strip like the film strip 20 shown in FIG. 6.

Thus, the envelope is easily sealed, and is readily attached to a container. It is made of waterproof material, is readily visible because of the fluorescent dye, and because of the transparent nature thereof permits viewing of the enclosed packing list.

There has been provided a method for fabricating envelopes, which method utilizes readily available material and which does not require expensive or unusual equipment to perform. The process is economical, therefore, both in material and equipment.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the preceding description should be regarded as exemplary of the present preferred embodiments. Within the scope of modifications, for example, is the use of plastic material which does not have printing thereon, but which instead is free of printing and/ or specifically colored to indicate the contents of the envelope. Again, as will be appreciated, the width of the plastic sheet material used can be varied depending on the processing equipment used, as well as on the particular ultimate size of the final envelope used.

Bearing the above in mind, what is claimed is:

1. An envelope for packing lists or the like comprising first and second generally rectangular walls of plastic film in face to face relationship, said walls being joined together along three sides and having an opening at the fourth side, said first wall having a flap extending beyond the said opening, self-adhering adhesive covering the outside of said second wall and the surface of said flap adjacent the outside of said first wall, and releasable paper backing strips on said adhesive cover portions of said envelope.

2. An envelope as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable paper backing strips are silicone coated backing papers.

3. An envelope as defined in claim 2 wherein said plastic film is transparent polyethylene.

4. An envelope as defined in claim 3 wherein said polyethylene film is fluorescent-dyed.

5. An envelope as defined in claim 4 further including a legend printed on the outside of said first wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,774,531 12/1956 Rosenthal 229-53 3,003,402 10/1961 Stein 93-35 3,070,280 12/1962 Richmond 229 3,155,234 11/1964 Knoll et a1. 20647 3,159,930 12/1964 Allen et al. 22937 FOREIGN PATENTS 771,788 4/1957 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Examiner, 

1. AN ENVELOPE FOR PACKING LISTS OR THE LIKE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND GENERALLY RECTANGULAR WALLS OF PLASTIC FILM IN FACE TO FACE RELATIONSHIP, SAID WALLS BEING JOINED TOGETHER ALONG THREE SIDES AND HAVING AN OPENING AT THE FOURTH SIDE, SAID FIRST WALL HAVING A FLAP EXTENDING BEYOND THE SAID OPENING, SELF-ADHERING ADHESIVE COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF SAID SECOND WALL AND THE SURFACE OF SAID FLAP ADJACENT THE OUTSIDE OF SAID FIRST WALL, AND RELEASABLE PAPER BACKING STRIPS ON SAID ADHESIVE COVER PORTIONS OF SAID ENVELOPE. 